House Passes $662 Billion Defense Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $662 billion defense bill after the White House dropped a veto threat over provisions on handling terrorist suspects.

The vote Wednesday evening was 283-136. In a closed-door meeting, conservative Republicans had expressed some concerns over the provisions, fearing an expanded role for the military in domestic law enforcement.

The bill would authorize money for military personnel, weapons systems, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and national security programs in the Energy Department.

The White House had threatened a veto but was mollified by revisions to the provision mandating military custody for terror suspects.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $662 billion defense bill after the White House dropped a veto threat over provisions on handling terrorist suspects.The vote Wednesday evening was 283-136. In a closed-door meeting, conservative Republicans had expressed some...